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Which budget MusicMan?

W

wigworld

Nov 16, 2009
16
1
#1
After a recent small windfall, I want to buy a budget MusicMan bass. At the moment I have an OLP, which is great, but I'd like a little more grunt and tonal flexibility.
I'm a little bit confused about the two types that seem to around - I've seen Music Man Subs, and also Sterling Ray 34s (I'm only interested in 4 strings).
Can anyone enlighten me as to what the differences are between the two, and whether either would be a significant upgrade from my OLP.
(I know this sort of question always prompts people to say I should just wait until I can afford a MusicMan, but that will be so far away that it's not something I'm considering just now).
 
#4
If you can find a good deal on a lightly-used S.U.B., you should go for it.

They were The Real Deal, though ugly as sin.

SLO-made, indestructible, weaponized MILSPEC version of the Stingray.

Made for gigging in a war zone.
 
#8
They're getting harder to find since Musicman discontinued them a couple of years ago but if you can find an active 4 string SUB - Jump on it!

These basses are the best gigging stingray bass you could ever buy. I have one (SUB5 active) along with a mint condition pre-ernie ball stingray and a new Stingray 5 string. The SUB bass get's all the attention and of the three and is by far the most played. I really like the rock hard finish and gig ready looks of the SUB. I replaced the stock diamond plate pickguard with a black pickguard and now it looks every bit as much a stingray as any other.

You should be able to find one of these used on eBay for about $500 or less. There's currently a nice SUB5 on eBay but I think you said you wanted to stick to a 4 string. Just save your money and keep on looking, one will pop up, and when it does - snatch it.
 
#9
Bongolation said:
If you can find a good deal on a lightly-used S.U.B., you should go for it.

They were The Real Deal, though ugly as sin.

SLO-made, indestructible, weaponized MILSPEC version of the Stingray.

Made for gigging in a war zone.
Click to expand...

So true, but they are a good guitar. The first thing I did was swap out that dreadful fake aluminium pick guard, made it look so much better.
 
#11
I vote sub. You can pretty it up. My has active 2 band eq and sounds just about as good as my 2005 Limited Edition Buttercream Stingray I had. My only complaint is I like jazz necks and this is slightly bigger. Which may be the ONLY reason I get rid if it going forward. They clean up nicely.....

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Also after owning an OLP as well if you upgrade the pickup you should get very similar results.
 
#14
wigworld said:
After a recent small windfall, I want to buy a budget MusicMan bass. At the moment I have an OLP, which is great, but I'd like a little more grunt and tonal flexibility.
I'm a little bit confused about the two types that seem to around - I've seen Music Man Subs, and also Sterling Ray 34s (I'm only interested in 4 strings).
Can anyone enlighten me as to what the differences are between the two, and whether either would be a significant upgrade from my OLP.
(I know this sort of question always prompts people to say I should just wait until I can afford a MusicMan, but that will be so far away that it's not something I'm considering just now).
Click to expand...

I own OLP, a SUB and a Stingray.
Get a SUB. I prefer my Stingray, but the SUB is nearly there. Great basses.
 
#16
IMO The SUBs are great, but prices are getting a bit inflated. Nice bass to be sure, but they are currently going from about $300-$500+. I bought one from GC for $185 on close out a few years back... I'd have a hard time buying one at the current prices. The new "Sterling by MusicMan" is not as good IMO as the SUB, and are likewise too pricey. Now, you want a good bass? Shop the used market carefully. You can get a used Stingray or "real" Sterling for $700 give or take. Break down and buy from the "evil empire" AKA Guitar Center. The have some great deals. I got a 30th anniversary Stingray last year for under $700 with case. Booty.
 
#17
Thanks for your advice, everybody. Someone nearby is selling an SUB on ebay. I'm going to go over and check it out this week.
A few people have suggested changing the pickup on on my OLP. Do you mean upgrade the passive PUP to an active PUP? Wouldn't that require some woodwork to make space for the battery and electronics?
Thanks again!
 
#18
MusicMan-style humbuckers are passive with an active preamp. So, no routing differences.

However, the SUB, or Ray34 are typically going to be better instruments. I've sold my Ernie Ball MusicMan (EBMM) basses and kept my Sterling by MusicMan (SBMM) basses because I couldn't justify the price difference. They are pretty darned close.

In this case it's primarily the difference in sound between the 2-band and 3-band preamps, body relief cuts on the SBMM and painted neck on the sub.

Bob
 
#19
I'll take a minute to again sing the praises of the Ray 34. Awesome, Awesome, Awesome! Fit & finish is great. Plays great. Sounds great. It's the one bass I'd never consider offing... Seems to me like the best way to get into a good, high quality bass without spending a grand or more. IMO of course!
 

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